Electropsychometer or bioelectronic instrument



Feb. 28, 1956 v. G. MATHISON ELECTROPSYCHOMETER OR BIOELECTRONICINSTRUMENT Filed 001. 5, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet l NW Na INVENTOR.

wmw A om w QN I Feb. 28, 1956 v. G. MATHISON ELECTROPSYCHOMETER ORBIOELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT Filed 001.. 5, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 28,1956 v. G. MATHISON 2,736,313

ELECTROPSYCHOMETER OR BIOELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT Filed Oct. 5, 1954 5Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent O ELECTROPSYCHOMETER R BIOELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTVolncy G. Mathison, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Muriel N.Warkentin, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 5, 1954, Serial No. 460,384

21 Claims. (Cl. 128--2.1)

The invention disclosed herein is a further modification of mypreviously disclosed electropsychometer (U. S. Patent No. 2,684,670 andvarious pending applications).

The present instrument is designed, in the main, for a specialapplication, namely the detection of suboptirnum physical conditions inneurospinal areas and in some other areas of the body.

It has been known for many years that if two galvanically differentiatedmetallic electrodes are applied to the skin of any person, a slightelectrical potential will register between the terminals of the saidelectrodes, and that the value of this potential may increase in amanner more or less related to increasingly suboptimum physicalconditions existing below the area of skin surface where the electrodesare being applied. One explanation that has been advanced concerningthis phenomenon is that it is caused primarily by bioelectronicpotentials that somehow are generated in disturbed neuromuscularstructures; that this in turn results in the rapid generation by thealfected muscle cells of the fluid known as histamine, which providespaths of low ohmic electrical resistance among the said affected musclecells or fibres, thereby tending to short-circuit them and discharge theaccumulated electrical tensions. It is further presumed that sincehistamine is a relatively conductive fluid, that it may facilitate theconduction of some portion of the bioelectronic energy in the disturbedareas outward to the nearest skin area. Hence if one of a pair ofgalvanically differentiated metal plates is slid along the skin surfacefrom normal areas to the vicinity of an area that is affected asdescribed above, an increased electrical potential may be registeredbetween the terminals of the said plates as a result of internalsuboptim-urn conditions.

Several diagnostic instruments have been placed on the market thatfunction on the basis of the above described bioelectronic phenomena.Some of these are insensitive or erratic. Others are of high sensitivitybut are expensive because they make use of costly types of highlydampedgalvanometers. Some are difficult to use since they are apt to beresponsive to variations in the degree of physical pressure with whichthe contacting electrodes are applied to the skin.

It is also known that if two skin-contacting electrode elements,galvanically differentiated or not, are connected to a sensitiveohmmeter, variations in ohmic resistance may be observed when one or theother electrode is slid about over the surface of the skin, these ohmicvariations corresponding substantially to the registrations observed ona galvanometer connected to galvanically dilferentiated electrodes.However, if the sensitivity of the ohmmeter being used in the experimentis stepped up to a diagnostically useful level, by means, for example,of a directourrent type of vacuum tube amplifier, the action of theindicating needle of the ohmmeter becomes violent and erratic, hencethis arrangement has not been much used in actual diagnostic practice.

I have therefore invented the instrument disclosed herein which to aconsiderable degree overcomes some 2,736,313 Patented Feb. 28, 1956 ofthe unsatisfactory operational features of the devices briefly referredto above. My invention comprises, in the main, a novel combination ofseveral previously well known electronic circuits. A part of the inputsection of the composite circuit of the complete instrument issubstantially that disclosed in one of my own previously claimedelectropsychometers (U. S. Patent No. 2,684,670), but instead of beingused to energize the movement of an electromagnetic indicating meter,the electropsychometric circuit is employed in a special manner to keyor trigger a conventional transitron type of audio-frequency oscillator,which in turn drives a simple power tube amplifier and an associatedaudio-frequency signalling device, such as a loudspeaker or the like.Hence differential registrations are effected by means of audiofrequencysignals rather than by the action of a meter needle, thereby eliminatingthe costly type of galvanom. etei' sometimes used in instruments ofthis. kind, as has been previously mentioned. The invention, in itscomplete form, as reduced to practice, is sensitive and precise in itsmode of functioning, and the registrations obtained with it are to apractical degree independent of the amount of physical pressure that maybe applied to either of the skin-contacting. electrodes used with theinstrument.

in the accompanying drawings, Fig. l is a diagram of the generic circuitof the invention, and includes a view of two skin-contacting electrodeelements that may be used with. the instrument.

Fig. 2 is a diagram, by way of example, of the complete instrument, as.reduced to practice. This diagram discloses an additional stage ofvacuum tube amplification. It also discloses an optional switchingsystem whereby the output of the vacuum tube amplifier circuits of theinstrument may be transferred to the terminals of an electromagnetictype of indicating meter, and whereby my previously claimeddual-concentric type of handheld skin-contacting electrode may also beutilized in combination with the other elements of the invention. Hencethe circuit shown in Fig. 2 provides. for a plurality of functions,including the registration of sub-optimum physical areas by anaudio-frequency signal and the registration of electropsyohophysicalconditions through the detection of combined neuromuscular and galvanicskin reaction responses as indicated on an electromagnetic type ofmeter, as I have previously claimed.

Fig. 3 is a View of the complete instrument, as reduced to practice.Fig. 4 discloses a modification of my previously claimedelectropsychometric tone scale, as I have adapted it for use with thesurge-meter circuit of the present instrument. Fig. 5 relates to a minormodification of the circuit shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals 1t 11, denote the positive andnegative terminals of a source of direct current, which may be providedby any conventional type of vacuum tube plate power supply, such as asmall transformer, rectifier tube, and filter circuit, or which may beprovided by a dry battery. 12, 13, 14, 15 denote four series-connectedresistances, forming a voltage dividing network between the power supplyterminals 10, 11. The numerals 16 and 17 denote the positive andnegative terminals of a second vacuum tube plate power supply source,which may or may not be electrically independent of that connectedbetween terminals 10 and 11, but which, in either case is hereinafterreferred to as the second plate power supply source.-

Resistances 18, 19 form a second voltage-divider network connectedbetween the terminals 16, 17 of the second plate power supply source.One end of a conductor, 20, is connected between resistances 12, 13, andits other end is connected to one terminal of a variable resistance 21.The other terminal of resistance 21 is connected by a conductor 26 tothe terminal of a search-probe type of skin-contacting electrode element27. Electrode 27 is also connected by a conductor 28 to the grid element31 of a vacuum tube 30. The cathode element 32 of vacuum tube 30 isconnected to the cathode element 41 of a second vacuum tube 40, and toone terminal of a resistance 42. The other terminal of resistance 42 isconnected to the negative terminal 11 of the first plate power supplysource. The grid element 45 of vacuum tube 40 is connected by aconductor 46 to a point on the first voltagedividing network betweenresistances 13 and 14. A second skin-contacting electrode element isconnected by a conductor 51 to a point between resistances 14 and 15 onthe said first voltage-dividing network.

The elements and conductors thus far described comprise means forestablishing an electrical potential between skin-contacting electrodes27 and 50, and for relating the value of ohmic resistance existingbetween the said electrodes to the value of biasing potential appearingat the grid terminal of vacuum tube 30. Also, indirectly through thefunctioning of resistance 42, these elements and conductors furtherprovide a means for establishing a correlated biasing potential on thegrid terminal of vacuum tube 40.

The plate element 55 of vacuum tube 30 is connected to one terminal of aresistance 56. Plate element 58 of vacuum tube 40 is connected to oneterminal of another resistance 59. The other terminals of resistances 56and 59 are connected in common by conductor 57 to the positive terminalof the first plate power supply.

The plate element of vacuum tube 30 is also connected by a conductor 61to the grid element 62 of a third vacuum tube 60. The plate element ofvacuum tube 40 is connected by a conductor 63 to the cathode element 64of vacuum tube 60.

A fourth vacuum tube 70 is connected as a conventional transitron typeof audio-frequency oscillator, the control grid and cathode elements ofthe said tube 70 being connected together. The said cathode and controlgrid elements of vacuum tube 70 are connected in common to one terminalof a resistance 71, and may also be connected to one terminal of acondenser 72. The other terminals of the resistance 71 and condenser 72are con nected to a conductor 73 which constitutes a common groundingconductor in the audio-frequency sections of the instrument, the saidconductor 73 being connected to the negative terminal 17 of thepreviously mentioned second plate power supply source. An inductance 75and a capacitor 76 are connected in parallel between the common controlgrid and cathode terminals of vacuum tube 70 and the terminal of thesuppressor grid 77. The terminal of the screen grid 78 is connected toone terminal of a resistance 79, and to one terminal of a condenser 80.The other terminal of condenser 80 is connected to the common groundingconductor 73. The plate element 81 is connected to one terminal of aresistance 82. The other terminals of resistances 79 and 82 areconnected by a conductor 83 to a point between the voltage dividingresistors 18, 19. The terminal of the plate element 81 is. alsoconnected to terminal 85a of a condenser 85. The other terminal 85b ofcondenser 85 is connected to one terminal of a variable resistance 90.The second terminal of resistance 90 is connected to the commongrounding conductor 73. Terminal 85b of conductor 85 is also connectedby a conductor 91 to the plate element 92 of vacuum tube 60. Terminal85b is also connected to one end terminal of a potentiometer 94. Theother end terminal of potentiometer 94 is connected to the commongrounding conductor 73. The movable contacting terminal of potentiometer94 is connected to the terminal of the control grid of a fifth vacuumtube 95. The cathode terminal of vacuum tube 95 is connected through aresistance 96 to grounding conductor 73. The plate terminal of vacuumtube 95 is connected through the primary winding of an outputtransformer 97 to the positive terminal 16 of the second source of platepower 4 supply. The screen grid terminal of the tube 95 .is alsoconnected to positive power supply terminal 16. The secondary winding ofthe output transformer 97 is connected to the terminals of a smallcone-type speaker 98.

The mode of functioning of the instrument, with reference to the genericcircuit thus far described is as follows: Variations in ohmic resistanceoccurring between skin-contacting electrode elements 27 and 50 causerelated variations in biasing potential at the grid terminal of vacuumtube 30, and, in a secondary manner, at the grid terminal of vacuum tube40. Such variations of grid biasing potentials are reflected at theplate terminals of tubes 30 and 40', and also, through conductors 61 and63, at the grid and cathode terminals of vacuum tube 60. Variations ofpotential between the grid and cathode terminals of tube 60 cause theoccurrence of a variation of ohmic resistance between terminal b ofcondenser 85 and the grounding conductor 73. Vacuum tube 70 oscillatesat an audio frequency which is determined by the values of inductance 75and capacitor 76. The type of tube employed at 79 and the potentialsapplied to it are such that this oscillator has a critical starting andstopping characteristic with relation to the value of ohmic resistanceexisting between terminal 85b of condenser 85 and ground conductor 73.When the resistance between terminal 85b and ground conductor 73 isreduced to a certain value, the oscillator fully operates. When theresistance is increased slightly above this critical value, theoscillator completely stops functioning. The critical point ofoscillation versus non-oscillation, which I have designated as theoscillator cut-off point, is determined by a manual adjustment of thevariable resistance 90, which I have designated as the oscillatorcut-off control.

Since the plate and cathode terminals of vacuumtube 60 are alsoconnected between terminal 85b of condenser 85 and the groundingconductor 73, variations in ohmic resistance between the plate andcathode terminals of the said tube 60, as triggered by variations inpotential appearing between the grid and cathode elements of tube 60,cause a sharp starting and stopping response of the transitronoscillator tube 70.

The potentiometer 94, which is also connected between terminal85b andground conductor 73, is of much higher ohmic resistance than that of thevariable resistance 90, and it provides a means for transferring theaudio-frequency signals generated by the transitron oscillator to thegrid terminal of an audio frequency output power tube 95. Potentiometer94 also affords a means for varying the volume of the audio frequencysignal at the cone-speaker element 98, but owing to its relatively highresistance has slight effect on the action of the transitron oscillator.

The over-all mode of functioning of the generic circuit of theinventionmay therefore be summarized by stating that variations in thevalue of ohmic resistance existing between the skin-contacting electrodeelements 27' and 50 are reflected in amplified variations of ohmicresistance between the plate and cathode. elements of vacuum tube 60,which functions as a trigger tube for starting and stopping thetransitron oscillator tube 70, the output of the said transitronoscillator tube being used to drive the grid of a small output powertype of vacuum tube which in turn operates an audio-frequency signallingdevice.

Although the instrument will function to a usable degree if it comprisesonly the generic elements disclosed in Fig. l, I prefer in an actualreduction to practice to use the additional elements shown in Fig. 2.

The first group of additional elements which I shall describe comprisean added stage of amplification. This is provided by the vacuum tubes100, 101 (Fig. 2) the plate terminals of which are connected through theresistances 102 and 103 to the positive plate supply source terminal 10.The grid terminals of tubes 1G0 and 1 31 are connected to the plateterminals of the previously described tubes 30 and 40. The cathodeterminals of tubes 100, 101 are connected through a common resistance104 to negative power supply terminal 11. Vacuum tubes 100, 101 and theresistances associated directly with them provide a second stage ofamplification between the skin-contacting electrode elements 27 and 50a,and the trigger tube 60.

In Fig. 2 I also disclose the addition of a manually operated switchingsystem comprising a six-pole threeposition rotary switch 1.10, (Fig. 3)which is designated as a function selector. The three availablepositions of the switch 110 are designated herein as the centralposition, the upper position, and the lower position, with reference toFig. 2. The central position is designated as the position for audioregistration; the upper position as the position for inverted audioregistration, and the lower position as the position for surge-meterregistration. The right-hand position of the function selector control110 as shown in Fig. 3 corresponds to the upper position of theswitching system as shown in Fig. 2. The central position of thiscontrol shown in Fig. 3 corresponds to the central position of theswitching system of Fig. 2. The left-hand position desig-' nated as theposition for surge-meter registration in Fig. 3 corresponds to the lowerposition of the switching system of Fig. 2. When the function selectorcontrol switch is set at the central position, as shown in Fig. 2, theplate terminals of vacuum tubes 100, 101 are connected to the grid andcathode terminals of the trigger tube 60 through the conductors 61 and63, so that the instrument functions in the manner previously de scribedwith reference to Fig. 1; that is, a drop in ohmic resistance occurringbetween the terminals of the skin-contacting electrodes 27 and 50acauses the registration of an audio signal on the cone speaker 98.

When the function selector switch 110 is moved to the upper position, asindicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, the amplified variations of ohmicresistance appearing between the plate and cathode elements of thetrigger tube 69 are inverted; that is, a drop in ohmic resistancebetween the terminals of the skin-contacting electrodes 27 and 50acauses an increase in resistance between the plate and cathode elementsof tube 60. When the function selector is in this position theinstrument is so adjusted as to generate a continuous audio frequencysignal until a drop of resistance occurs between the skin-contactingelectrodes, which causes an increase in resistance through the triggertube 60 and a consequent cessation of oscillation of the transitron tube'70, so that the instrument becomes silent.

When the function selector switch 110 is moved to the lower position,(Fig. 2) conductor 91 is disconnected from the plate terminal of vacuumtube 100, as is apparent by noting the lower position of switch pole110a. Simultaneously, the plate terminal of tube 101 is connectedthrough switch pole 11011 to the positive terminal of an electromagnetictype of indicating meter 120. The negative terminal of meter 120 isconnected by conductor 122 to the plate terminal of vacuum tube 60. Theplate terminal of vacuum tube 60 is also now connected through switchpole 1100 to the grid terminal of the said tube 60, so that this tubemay now function as a diode rectifier. The cathode terminal of tube 60remains connected to the plate terminal of tube 100 through the switchpole 110d. Thus, when the function selector switch is moved into thislower position, the winding of the indicating meter 120 is connected inseries with the elements of vacuum tube 60 which now operates as a dioderectifier, and these two series-connected elements, meter 120 and tube60 are connected across the plate terminals of vacuum tubes 100 and 101.

In the case of the circuit disclosed in Fig. 2, the plain cylindricalelectrode designated by the numeral 50 (Fig. 1) is replaced by mypreviously claimed dual-concentric type of electrode 50a, consisting oftwo cylindrical skincontacting elements mounted on a common insulatingmember. When the function selector switch 110 is in either the centralor upper position, the two conductive elements of electrode 50a areelectrically connected together through switch poles 110e and 110 andact as a single skin-contacting electrode, substantially equivalent toelectrode 50 (Fig. 1). When the function selector switch 110 is moved tothe lower position, the conductive elements of electrode 50a aredisconnected from each other. One conductive element, 50b, remainsconnected by conductor 51 to a point on the voltage divider systembetween resistances 13 and 15. The other conductive element, 500, isconnected through the switch pole 110 to the grid terminal 31 of vacuumtube 30. When the function selector switch 110 is in this lowerposition, the instrument functions in a manner substantially similar tothat of my originally claimed electropsychometer. (U. S. Patent2,684,670.) Fluctuations in ohmic resistance occurring between the twoskin-com tacting elements of electrode 50a cause a variation ofpotential at the terminals of the electromagnetic indicating meter 120,and a unidirectional flow of current through the winding of meter 120 isobtained as a consequence of the rectifying action of vacuum tube 60which is switched into a series connection with the said meter. Thenumeral 121 denotes a potentiometer which is shunted across theterminals of meter 120, thereby affording a means for varying thesensitivity of response of the instrument when meter 120 is in use.

With further reference to Fig. 2, an additional adjuvant element is acondenser 130, one terminal of which is connected to the plate terminalof vacuum tube 100. The other terminal of condenser 130 is connected totwo adjacent switch contacts, 131 and 132, which are contacted by switchpole 11%. Switch pole 11011 is connected, as previously described, tothe plate terminal of vacuum tube 101. When the function selector switch110 is moved into either the central or upper position, condenser 130 isconnected across the plate terminals of tubes and 101, and,consequently, it is also con nected across the grid and cathodeterminals of vacuum tube 60. Condenser 130, when connected into thecircuit in the manner disclosed, markedly sharpens the starting andstopping characteristic of the transitron oscillator tube 70, and causesthe search-probe registration of the instrument to be much morediscriminative and precise than can otherwise be obtained. Asubstantially similar effect can be had by connecting condenser 130across the plate terminals of tubes 30 and 40, this alternativeconnection being shown in Fig. 5.

When the function selector switch is moved into the lower position forsurge-meter operation, one terminal of condenser 130 is disconnectedfrom the plate terminal of vacuum tube 101 through the movement ofswitch pole 11%.

I do not wish the invention limited to include any of the added elementsdisclosed in Fig. 2. Any or all of these elements may be added to thoseelements disclosed in Fig. 1, in several possible combinations. Forexample, only the second stage amplifier comprised by tubes 100, 101 andassociated resistances may be added to the circuit of Fig. 1. Thecondenser 130 may be connected permanently across the cathode and gridterminals of the trigger tube 60, the function selector switch beingomitted. The dual-concentric skin-contacting electrode structure 50a maybe replaced by some other systemic arrangement of skin-contactingelectrodes. The surge meter may be omitted, the instrument in that casebeing designed to operate only as an audio-registration type of device.The inverting circuit arrangement which is brought into use when thefunction selector switch is moved into the upper position may beomitted.

In the foregoing specification, and in all of the claims appendedhereto, the several vacuum tubes that are included in the circuits ofthe invention are designated and described as being separate tubes. Someor all of the said tubes may in practice be the sections of twin-typetubes. In my own reduction to practice of the invention, vacuum tubes 30and 40 (Fig. 1) are the two sec tions of a twin type 6SN7 tube. In thecase of the circuit of the complete instrument, as shown in Fig. 2,tubes 30 and 40 are the two sections of a type 6SC7 or 6SL7 tube. Vacuumtubes 100, 101 are the two sections of a type 6SN7 tube. Trigger tube 60may be a 6SF5. Transitron oscillator tube 70 may be a 6SK7. Output tube95 may be a 6V6 or the like.

Another useful element that may be added to the invention is acalibrated scale 24. (Fig. 4) which may be placed under an indicatinglever attached to the variable resistance 21 (Figs. 1, 2, 3'). Scale 21may register the ohmic value of resistance existing between theterminals of the system of skin-contacting. electrode elements. Iprefer, however, that it register in the values of my previously claimedelectropsychometric tone scale, wherein the numeral .5 denotes aresistance of about 500 ohms or more, the numeral denotes a resistanceof 2000 ohms or more, the numeral 1.5 a resistance of 5,000 ohms ormore, the numeral 2.0 a resistance of 22,000 ohms or more, 2.5 aresistance of 50,000 ohms or more, 3.0 a resistance of 100,000 ohms ormore, 4.0 a resistance of 300,000 ohms or more, the said numerationbeing with reference to the values of ohmic resistance existing betweenthe terminals of my previously claimed dual-concentric type of hand-heldskin-contacting electrode.

Variable resistance 21 may be connected in series with a second variableresistance 23 (Figs. 2 and 3) which may act as an expander ormultiplier, so that the adjustment of the tone-scale indicatingresistance 21 is broad ened and less critical. The addition of thesecond variable resistance 23 in series with resistance 21 alsofacilitates search-probe registrations in cases of very high skinresistances. In my own reduction to practice of the invention, I employa dual type of resistance-indicating scale 24 (Fig. 4) the said scalebeing mounted in a registrative relationship to variable resistance 21,(Fig. 3) the outer calibration of scale 24 being with reference to anadjustment of variable resistance 23 whereby the ohmic resistance of 23is of a rather low value, and the inner calibration of scale 24 is withreference to an altered adjustment of resistance 23, whereby the ohmicresistance of 23 is considerably increased. The characters placed onscale 24' are with reference to my previously describedelectropsychometric system of calibration, wherein the numerals 1.5 andother numerals of lesser value are presumed to relate to an acutelydisturbed condition, numerals between 2.0 and 2.5 are presumed to relateto average normal conditions, and the numeral 2.5 and or other numeralsof higher values being presumed to relate to more or less optimumconditions, the said system of numeration being with reference to thepresumed psychophysical condition of a person to whom theskin-contacting electrode elements of the invention are applied.

In the first ten claims appended hereto, vacuum tube 30 (Fig. 1) isdesignated as the first vacuum tube, tube 40 as the second tube, tube 60as the third tube, tube '70 as the fourth tube, tube 95 as the fifthtube.

In claims numbered from eleven to twenty one, inclusive, vacuum tube 30is designated as the first tube, tube 40 as the second tube, tube 100 asthe third tube, tube 101 as the fourth tube, tube 60 as the fifth tube,tube '70 as the sixth tube, tube 95 as the seventh tube.

The types of tubes used may be as previously described above. The valuesof the other elements of the invention, as disclosed in Fig. 1, may beas follows: 12, 56K; 13, 2700 ohms; 14, 2700 ohms, 15, 27K; 18, 56; 19,56K; 21, 150K; 42, 27K; 56, 27K; 59, 27; 71, 2700 ohms; 72, 1 mid; 75, 2henries or less; 76, .01 mfd. or less; 80, .25 mfd.; $5, .05 mfd; 90,150K; 94, .5 meg. or more, 96, 600 ohms. The potential between powersupply terminals 10 and 11 may be 250 volts; between terminals 16 and 17of the second power supply source, 250 volts.

With reference exclusively to Fig. 2, the values of the elements shownmay be as follows: 12, 56K; 13, 2700 ohms; 13a, 250K, 13b, 330K; 15a,2700 ohms; 21, 150K; 23, 250K; 42a, 22K; 56a, 220K; 59a, 220K; 102, 27K;1031, 27K; 121, 10K; 130, 8 mfd. Function selector switch 110 (Fig. 3)may be a Centralab #1417. Meter 120 may have a range of from 0-50microamperes, direct current. Values of remaining elements shown in Fig.2. may be ascertained by referring to values suggested in the precedingparagraph with reference to Fig. 1.

In claims numbered from eleven to twenty-one, inclusive, vacuum tube 30is designated as the first tube, tube 40 as the second tube, tube 100 asthe third tube, tube 101 as the fourth tube, tube 60 as the fifth tube,tube '70 as the sixth tube, tube as the seventh tube.

The types of tubes used may be as described in a preceding paragraph.The values of the other elements of the invention may be as follows: 12,56K; 13, 2700 ohms; 14, 2700 ohms; 15, 27K; 18, 56K; 1%, 56K; 21, 150K;42, 27K; 56, 27K; 59, 27K; 71, 2700 ohms; 72, l mfd.; 75, 2 henries orless; 76, .01 mfd. or less; 79, K, 80, .25 mfd, :32, 56K; 85, .05 mfd.;90, 150K, )4, .5 meg. or more, 96, 600 ohms. The potential between powersupply terminals 10 and 11 may be 250 volts; between terminals 16 and 17of the second power supply source, 250 volts.

With reference to Fig. 2, the values of added, or altered elements maybe as follows: 13a, 250K; 13b, 330K; 15a, 2700 ohms; 23, 250K; 42a, 22K;56a, 220K; 59a, 220K; 1102, 27K; 1103, 27K; 104, 27K; 121, 10K; 130, 8mfd. Function selector switch (Fig. 3) may be a six-pole three-positionCentralab #1417, or the like. Meter may have a range of from 050microamperes, direct current. The values of elements of Fig. 2 not givenin this paragraph may be ascertained by referring to the valuessuggested in the preceding paragraph with reference to Fig. 1.

I claim:

1. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument comprising five vacuum tubes, or a lesser number of twin typetubes functioning as five separate tubes and hereinafter designated asthe first, second, third, fourth and fifth vacuum tubes, a transitronoscillator, an audio-frequency amplifier and audio signalling device,and a system of skin-contacting electrode elements, means forestablishing an electrical potential between the terminals of the saidsystem of skin-contacting electrode elements, means for relating theohmic resistance existing between the terminals of the said system ofskin contacting electrodes to the values of biasing voltages appearingat the grid terminals of the abovementioned first and second vacuumtubes, means for establishing an electrical potential between the plateand cathode elements of the said first and second vacuum tubes, twoconductors, one from each plate terminal of the aforesaid first andsecond vacuum tubes, to the grid and cathode elements of a previouslymentioned third vacuum tube, a transitron type of audio-frequencyoscillater, the said oscillator consisting of a previously mentionedfourth vacuum tube and the associated resistances and capacitorsrequired to constitute the said transitron oscillator, and including acapacitor, the said capacitor being designated as a transitron platecircuit capacitor, one terminal of the said capacitor being connected tothe plate terminal of the aforesaid fourth vacuum tube, the otherterminal of the said capacitor being connected to the plate terminal ofthe previously mentioned third vacuum tube, means for connecting thecathode and con trol-grid terminals of the aforesaid fourth vacuum tubein common to the cathode terminal of the aforesaid third vacuum tube,means for applying the audio-frequency signalling potential generated bythe aforesaid transitron oscillator to the grid terminal of a previouslymentioned fifth vacuum tube, the said fifth vacuum tube functioning asan audio-frequency amplifier and operating an audiofrequency signallingdevice, means for adjusting the operating characteristics of theinstrument, whereby the registration or non-registration of a signal bythe abovementioned audio-frequency signalling device is governed by thevalue of ohmic resistance existing between the terminals of the aforementioned skin-contacting electrode elements.

2. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in the precedingclaim, designated as claim No. 1, and with the addition of a capacitor,means for connecting one terminal of the said capacitor to the gridterminal of the previously mentioned third vacuum tube, means forconnecting the other terminal of the said capacitor to the cathodeterminal of the said third vacuum tube.

3. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. 1, and with the addition of a switchingsystem which provides a means whereby the two previously mentionedconductors attached to the plate terminals of the previously mentionedfirst and second vacuum tubes are reversible with reference to theirmode of connections to the grid and cathode terminals of the previouslymentioned third vacuum tube.

4. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connection thereof set forth in a preceding claim,designated as claim No. 1, and with the addition of an electromagnetictype of indicating meter, means for substantially disconnecting theplate terminals of the previously mentioned first and second vacuumtubes from the previously mentioned transitron oscillator and forconnecting the said plate terminals to the terminals of the aforesaidelectromagnetic type of indicating meter.

5. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. 1, and with the addition of anelectromagnetic type of indicating meter, means for substantiallydisconnecting the plate terminals of the previously mentioned first andsecond vacuum tubes from the previously mentioned transitron oscillatorand for connecting the said plate terminals to the terminals of theaforesaid electromagnetic type of indicating meter, means forreconnecting the grid and plate elements of the previously mentionedthird vacuum tube, whereby the said third vacuum tube functions as adiode rectifier, means for connecting the said vacuum tube in serieswith the winding of the above-mentioned indicating meter.

6. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. 1, and with the addition of a switchingsystem to provide a means whereby one or more of a plurality ofskin-contacting electrode elements may be selectively connected to ordisconnected from the other elements of the invention.

7. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer, or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. 1, but with the modification that thesystem of skin-contacting electrodes mentioned in claim No. 1 comprisestwo electrically conductive skincontacting elements mounted on a commoninsulating member.

8. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. l, and with the addition of a pluralityof systems of skin-contacting electrode elements, one of the saidsystems of electrodes consisting of two or more electrically conductiveelements mounted on a common insulating member, means whereby one ormore of the said skin contacting elements may be selectively connectedto or disconnected from the other elements comprising the invention.

9. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. 1, and with the addition of an indicatingscale or system of scales, the said scale or system of scales beingmounted in a registrative relationship to an adjustable control orcontrols, whereby the registrations appearing on the said scale orsystem of scales are related to the values of ohmic resistance existingbetween the terminals of the previously mentioned system or systems ofskin-contacting electrode elements.

10. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. 1, and with the addition of a system ofindicating scales, the said system of indicating scales being mounted ina registrative relationship to an adjustable control or system ofcontrols whereby registrations appearing on the said system ofindicating scales are related to the values of ohmic resistance existingbetween the terminals of the previously mentioned system or systems ofskin-contacting electrode elements, the aforesaid system of indicatingscales being calibrated in the numerals of the electropsychometric tonescale, the said electropsychometric tone scale having a system ofnumeration from 1.0 or less to 4.0 or more, the numerals below 1.5 beingpresumed to relate to acutely disturbed psychophysical conditions, thenumerals from 2.0 to 2.5 being presumed to relate to average normalpsychophysical conditions, and numerals above 2.75 being presumed torelate to more or less optimum psychophysical con ditions, the saidsystem of electropsychometric numeration being with reference to thecase of a person to whom the previously mentioned system or systems ofskin-contacting electrodes are applied.

11. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising seven vacuum tubes or a lesser number of twintype tubes functioning as seven separate tubes and hereinafterdesignated as the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, andseventh vacuum tube, a transitron type of audio-frequency oscillator, anaudiofrequency amplifier and signalling device, and a system ofskin-contacting electrode elements, means for establishing an electricalpotential between the terminals of the said system of skin-contactingelectrode elements, means for relating the ohmic resistance existingbetween the terminals of the said system of skin-contacting electrodeelements to the biasing voltages appearing at the grid terminals of theabove-mentioned first and second vacuum tubes, means for connecting theplate terminals of the said first and second vacuum tubes to the gridterminals of the previously mentioned third and fourth vacuum tubes,means for establishing an electrical potential between the plate andcathode elements of the said first, second, third, and fourth vacuumtubes, two conductors, one from each plate terminal of the aforesaidthird and fourth vacuum tubes, to the grid and cathode elements of apreviouslymentioned fifth vacuum tube, a transitron type ofaudiofrequency oscillator consisting of a previously mentioned sixthvacuum tube and the associated resistances and capacitors required toconstitute the said transitron oscillator,

and including a capacitor, the said capacitor being designated as thetransitron plate circuit capacitor, one terminal of the said capacitorbeing connected to the plate terminal of the previously mentioned fifthvacuum tube, means for connecting the cathode and control-grid terminalsof the aforesaid sixth vacuum tube in common to the cathode terminal ofthe aforesaid fifth vacuum tube, means for applying the audio-frequencysignalling poten tial generated by the aforesaid transitron oscillatorto the grid terminal of a previously mentioned seventh vacuum tube, thesaid seventh vacuum tube functioning as an audio-frequency amplifier andoperating an audio-frequency signalling device, means for adjusting theoperating characteristics of the instrument whereby the registration ornon-registration of signals by the above-mentioned audio-frequencysignalling device is governed by the value of ohmic resistance existingbetween the terminals of the afore-mentioned system of skin-contactingelectrode elements.

12. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in the precedingclaim, designated as claim No. 11; and with the addition of a capacitor,means for connecting one terminal of the said capacitor to the gridterminal of the previously mentioned fifth vacuum tube, means forconnecting the other terminal of the said capacitor to the cathodeterminal of the said fifth vacuum tube.

13. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. 11; and with the addition of a capacitor,means for connecting one terminal of the said capacitor to the plateterminal of the previously mentioned first vacuum tube, means forconnecting the other terminal of the said capacitor to the plateterminal of the previously mentioned second vacuum tube.

14. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. 11; and with the addition of a switch ingsystem which provides a means whereby the two previously mentionedconductors attached to the plate terminals of the previously mentionedthird and fourth vacuum tubes are reversible with reference to theirmode of connections to the grid and cathode terminals of the previouslymentioned fifth vacuum tube.

15. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. ll; and with the addition of anelectromagnetic type of indicating meter, means for substantiallydisconnecting the plate terminals of the previously mentioned third andfourth vacuum tubes from the previously mentioned transitron oscillatorand for connecting the said plate terminals to the terminals of theaforesaid electromagnetic type of indicating meter.

16. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. 11, and with the addition of anelectromagnetic type of indicating meter, means for substantiallydisconnecting the plate terminals of the previously mentioned third andfourth vacuum tubes from the previously mentioned transitron oscillatorand for connecting the said plate terminals to the terminals of theaforesaid electromagnetic type of indicating meter, means forreconnecting the grid and plate elements of the previously mentionedfifth vacuum tube, whereby the said fifth vacuum tube functionssubstantially as a diode rectifier, means for connecting the said vacuumtube in series with the winding of the above-mentioned indicating meter.

17. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. 11; and with the addition of a switchingsystem which provides a means whereby one or more of a plurality ofskin-contacting electrode elements may be selectively connected to ordisconnected from the other elements of the invention.

18. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. 11; but with the modification that thesystem of skin-contacting electrodes mentioned in claim No. 11 comprisestwo electrically conductive skin-contacting elements mounted on a commoninsulating member.

19. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the element, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. 11; and with the addition of a pluralityof systems of skin-contacting electrode elements, one of the said systemof electrodes consisting of two or more electrically conductive elementsmounted on a common insulating member, means whereby one or more of thesaid skin-contacting electrode elements may be selectively connected toor disconnected from the other elements comprising the invention.

20. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument, comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. ll, and with the addition of anindicating scale or system of scales, the said scale or system of scalesbeing mounted in a registrative relationship to an adjustable control orcontrols, whereby the registrations appearing on the said indicatingscale or system of indicating scales are related to the values of ohmicresistance existing between the terminals of the previously mentionedsystem or systems of skin-contacting electrode elements.

21. An audio-registration type of electropsychometer or bioelectronicinstrument comprising the elements, members, and conductors, and havingthe relationships and connections thereof set forth in a precedingclaim, designated as claim No. 11, and with the addition of a system ofindicating scales, the said system of indicating scales being mounted ina registrative relationship to an adjustable control or system ofcontrols whereby registrations appearing on the said system ofindicating scales are related to the values of ohmic resistance existingbetween the terminals of the previously mentioned system or systems ofskin-contacting electrode elements, the aforesaid system of indicatingscales being calibrated in the numerals of the electropsychometric tonescale, the said electropsychometric tone scale having a system ofnumeration from 1.0 or less to 4.0 or more, the numerals below 1.5 beingpresumed to relate to acutely disturbed psychophysical conditions, thenumerals from 2.0 to 2.5 being presumed to relate to average normalpsychophysical conditions, and numerals above 2.75 being presumed torelate to more or less optimum psychophysical conditions, the saidsystem of electropsychometric numeration being with reference to thecase of a person to whom the previously mentioned system or systems ofskin-contacting electrode elements are applied.

No references cited.

